Archive for July, 2011

Washington (CNN) — Gene Sperling, the director of President Obama's National Economic Council, said Sunday the White House will accept a compromise that only contains mutually acceptable spending cuts, as part of the initial deficit reduction package. Sperling, who has been at the center of the ongoing negotiations between the White House and Congressional leaders, said the second phase of the plan would tackle more significant deficit reduction … Read More

Washington (CNN) — Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday he is not ready to vote for the debt ceiling compromise, but that the Republican Party can declare "limited" victory in the negotiations. The South Carolina senator said he supports the decision to pay for future debt increases dollar for dollar, but that the agreement fails to address entitlement changes or reduce the size and scope of government. "I think what we've been able to ach … Read More

Washington (CNN) – House Speaker John Boehner leveled tough words at fellow Republicans Wednesday, telling conservatives who are unhappy his bill doesn't go far enough to "Get your ass in line." Boehner's admonishment came during a closed-door meeting, during which House GOP leaders sought to rally support for their debt bill, according to two Republican sources who attended the meeting. The Ohio Republican told members he was working hard and di … Read More

(CNN) — Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s advice on same-sex marriage? “Stay out of their business.” Perry, who is publicly mulling a bid for the presidency, brought up New York's legalization of same-sex marriage Friday while discussing the reach of federal government with a group of GOP governors and donors in Aspen, Colorado. “You know what? That’s New York, and that’s their business, and that’s fine with me,” he said. The three-term chief executive of … Read More

By CHRIS TOMLINSON Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Should Rick Perry conclude that voter discontent has left him an opening to enter the presidential race, the longtime Texas governor would be among the GOP field's most conservative candidates. Primary voters would get a skilled politician with TV anchorman looks, a Southern preacher's oratory and a cowboy's swagger, matched by a disarming candor and sense of humor. The former cotton farmer … Read More

Washington (CNN) — Some Democrats have had it — at least when it comes to reports of what's in a $3 trillion deal being shepherded by President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner. At issue: large spending cuts on the table that include entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security, among other things. … Read More

WASHINGTON (CNN) — To meet the president's demand that bipartisan House and Senate leaders come up with a plan to raise the debt ceiling through the next election, a Democratic Senate leadership aide expects there will be bipartisan negotiations among those leaders "on a plan modeled on the Senate fallback proposal." That fallback proposal is known as McConnell/Reid, a procedurally complicated measure — worked out by Senate Minority Leader Mitc … Read More

(CNN) — Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann released her second ad in Iowa that reaffirmed her commitment to vote against an increase to the nation's debt ceiling. According to the campaign, the 30-second spot will run statewide starting Wednesday. Looking at the camera, the congresswoman from neighboring Minnesota says increasing the borrowing limit "goes completely contrary to commonsense and how I grew up in Iowa." "We have to … Read More

(CNN) — Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain claimed Monday Mitt Romney cannot beat President Obama in the 2012 election. The former Godfather's Pizza CEO said his prediction is based on "RomneyCare," the health care law Romney signed five years ago while governor of Massachusetts and his failure to explain his Mormon religion when competing in Southern states during his last presidential run. "When he ran the first time, he did not do … Read More

Washington (CNN) — President Barack Obama offered strong praise Tuesday for a deficit reduction plan put together by a bipartisan group of senators, calling the measure's mix of tax hikes and spending reforms "broadly consistent" with his own approach to the current debt ceiling crisis. The plan would cut the nation's debt by about $3.7 trillion over the next 10 years. … Read More